More than 40 people attended guided tours of the Raglan Wastewater Treatment Plant last weekend, taking the opportunity to see firsthand how the upgraded facility operates.
The tours provided a walkthrough of the full treatment process, highlighting the upgrade from the former oxidation pond system to the current membrane bioreactor (MBR) plant. The modern process includes screening, biological treatment, membrane filtration, and UV disinfection - producing a higher standard of treated water prior to discharge.
Attendees heard how the upgraded plant has been designed to meet both current and future needs. It has capacity to treat more than twice Raglan’s current wastewater volume and is expected to support projected growth through to around 2050. Since commissioning in November, treated water has consistently met consented quality standards through regular monitoring.
Waikato District Council’s Waters Manager, Keith Martin, said the tours were a valuable opportunity to connect with the community and provide greater transparency around how the plant operates.
“There’s strong interest in how wastewater is treated and what this upgrade means for Raglan. Opening the plant for tours gives people a chance to see the process for themselves and ask questions directly,” Martin said.
The tours also provided an opportunity to discuss future planning for wastewater discharge. We're currently working to identify a preferred long-term solution, including a potential land-based discharge at Wainui Reserve. This option would enable a transition away from the existing ocean outfall over time, subject to the resource consent process.
Council staff were on site to answer questions and provide information, with strong interest from attendees in both how the plant operates and what’s planned for the future.
We thank everyone who attended and took the time to engage with the team.
Learn more at waikatodistrict.govt.nz/raglanwastewater
